The 7 Best Aquarium Fish for Beginners
By Sean Perry, DVM. Reviewed by Lauren Jones, VMD
Updated Aug. 31/2024
Thinking of starting a fish tank? Many freshwater aquarium fish species make great additions to a beginner fish tank.
The best aquarium fish for beginners are not only rewarding for pet parents, but they also make great first pets for children who can learn about responsible skills such as feeding & fish tank cleaning. You will also need to conduct regular water quality testing, which is required of any fish tank.
Here are some of the best beginner fish for first-time aquarists.
Best Beginner Fish for Aquariums
1. Celestial Pearl Danios
Celestial pearl danios (CPDs) are a small (up to 1 inch), dark blue fish that have either white, yellow, or tan pearlescent dots over their body. Their appearance is sometimes associated with a galaxy, hence their “celestial” name. CPDs could be great residents of a space-themed tank!
These fish like to live in small areas where they can hide within rocks & plants in groups of 10 or more. They also get along well with other community fish, making them an easy addition to any first fish tank. They will eat a variety of food, including flakes, micro pellets, or even some other fish or brine shrimp.
2. Golden Dwarf Barbs
Golden dwarf barbs are small golden fish that have faded black banding. The fish max out at about 1.5 inches as adults & can live 2 to 3 years.
As one of the best aquarium fish for beginners, golden dwarf barbs can be great additions to small freshwater tanks, as golden dwarf barbs are docile & can live with many different species. They are also omnivores & are a schooling species—make sure to have at least 6 to 8 in the tank.
3. Neon Tetras
Neon tetras are colorful freshwater aquarium fish originally from South America. They are considered neon because of their bright blue, red, & white coloration.
Neon tetras reach 1–1.5 inches in size & are a schooling fish, so keeping multiple fish is recommended. Make your beginner fish tank pop from across the room with a school of neon tetras! They are great beginner species because they are peaceful & non-aggressive.
Tetras active swimmers & thrive in a variety of aquariums. They are a relatively easy-to-care-for fish, but as with all fish, make sure to maintain stable water parameters for their health & well-being.
4. Pygmy Corydoras
Pygmy corydoras are small silver & black catfish that are ideal for small aquariums. They are peaceful & can live with other species, making them one of the best beginner fish for new tank keepers.
A 10-gallon tank can hold up to 8 pygmy corydoras—but a larger tank is always preferable to provide plenty of swimming space.
Some precautions should be taken with this species—they should be housed with smaller freshwater fish so they aren’t accidentally eaten by another tank mate.
5. Guppies
Guppies make a great beginner tank fish because they are hardy & will eat just about anything. Guppies are small fish that don’t grow larger than 2 inches. They can have exquisitely designed tails, making them beautiful display fish.
Guppies can be housed as a single species & make a lovely, simpler tank, or they can be housed with neon tetras or pygmy corydoras. Guppies should not be housed with any aggressive fish species.
6. Betta Fish
Betta fish can be great beginner pets for a small aquarium, & you’ll find bettas in virtually any pet store. As one of the most readily available fish to bring home, it’s no wonder betta fish are a common first pet for kids.
But betta fish are aggressive. Males of this species should be housed alone, while females can be housed in groups of 5 to 6 fish called sororities.
Male bettas are typically more colorful with flowing & elaborate fins. Females are less colorful but still have subtle coloration & are a great addition to any tank!
7. Dwarf Gouramis
Dwarf gouramis are a beautiful small red fish with blue vertical striping & make for a vibrant addition to a small tank. Many different color patterns exist, & they range in size from 3.5–4.5 inches.
Dwarf gouramis are a docile fish species that mainly likes to live in the upper portion of the tank. This easy-to-keep fish can live well with other fish species, as they are not aggressive.
But because they are a larger fish, they do require more space. For a 10-gallon tank, you can safely house a single dwarf gourami, but size up for a group. When mixing species, one or 2 will work well with other non-aggressive fish like tetras, rasboras, corydoras, & catfish.
Top Freshwater Fish for Beginners | PetMD
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